New Directions in Lace: Hats

Bring three luscious lace hats off your needles and into your outfits. From confident cast-on to beautiful bind-off, learn to knit lace in the round, shape in pattern and more!

Expand your lace knitting expertise to include elegant, in-the-round projects alongside knitwear designers Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn. Get comfortable reading lace charts and joining in the round to knit the simply chic Spiral Lace Hat from the bottom up. Master Courtney's invisible cast-on and work the Medallion Crown Hat (a beautiful beret) from the top down before binding off in pattern. Knit the True Lace Hat with patterning on every round, and receive tips for modifying the length or circumference of your hats. Plus, discover finishing techniques for weaving in ends securely and blocking your hats for crisp stitch definition. Learn to knit lace in the round and light up your look with these exclusive, alluring accessories.

Lesson 1. Gauge & Swatching in the Round

Lesson 2. Spiral Lace Hat Part One

The Spiral Lace Hat is a great project for dipping your toes into lace in the round. The stockinette ribbing is an engaging alternative to plain rib, and the short repeating lace pattern is easy to keep track of as you work your way up the hat. Courtney shows you how to read the simple lace chart and get started.

22:56

Lesson 3. Spiral Lace Hat Part Two

Continue knitting the Spiral Lace Hat as Courtney demonstrates how to switch to larger needles and work the body of the hat. She also explains how to modify the hat for different sizes and how to decrease for the crown.

15:20

Lesson 4. Medallion Crown Hat Part One

The Medallion Crown Hat is an elegant beret knit from the top down. Begin with Courtney's invisible cast-on using double-pointed needles or magic loop, then add stitches in a leafy lace pattern as you build the crown.

13:00

Lesson 5. Medallion Crown Hat Part Two

Continue knitting the Medallion Crown Hat, switching to a circular needle if you're using DPNs, and decreasing again before the ribbed brim. Courtney explains how to work from the body chart and manage your markers.

25:56

Lesson 6. The True Lace Hat

With Kate's help, you're ready to tackle the True Lace Hat! This pattern includes lace stitches on every row of the hat body, not just the odd-numbered rows. Kate shows you how to knit the pattern and discusses ways to modify the size before moving on to shaping the crown. Cast on with Kate and give it a whirl!

33:35

Lesson 7. Finishing & Blocking

No matter which hat you make, you'll need to weave in your ends and block. Kate and Courtney share tips for making sure all those loose ends are secure and invisible. They share tips for blocking your swatches and your hats, and offer advice on the best way to care for your new favorite accessory.

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Lesson 1. Gauge & Swatching in the Round

Lesson 2. Spiral Lace Hat Part One

The Spiral Lace Hat is a great project for dipping your toes into lace in the round. The stockinette ribbing is an engaging alternative to plain rib, and the short repeating lace pattern is easy to keep track of as you work your way up the hat. Courtney shows you how to read the simple lace chart and get started.

22:56

Lesson 3. Spiral Lace Hat Part Two

Continue knitting the Spiral Lace Hat as Courtney demonstrates how to switch to larger needles and work the body of the hat. She also explains how to modify the hat for different sizes and how to decrease for the crown.

15:20

Lesson 4. Medallion Crown Hat Part One

The Medallion Crown Hat is an elegant beret knit from the top down. Begin with Courtney's invisible cast-on using double-pointed needles or magic loop, then add stitches in a leafy lace pattern as you build the crown.

13:00

Lesson 5. Medallion Crown Hat Part Two

Continue knitting the Medallion Crown Hat, switching to a circular needle if you're using DPNs, and decreasing again before the ribbed brim. Courtney explains how to work from the body chart and manage your markers.

25:56

Lesson 6. The True Lace Hat

With Kate's help, you're ready to tackle the True Lace Hat! This pattern includes lace stitches on every row of the hat body, not just the odd-numbered rows. Kate shows you how to knit the pattern and discusses ways to modify the size before moving on to shaping the crown. Cast on with Kate and give it a whirl!

33:35

Lesson 7. Finishing & Blocking

No matter which hat you make, you'll need to weave in your ends and block. Kate and Courtney share tips for making sure all those loose ends are secure and invisible. They share tips for blocking your swatches and your hats, and offer advice on the best way to care for your new favorite accessory.

The instructor

Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley, Instructor of New Directions in Lace: Hats

Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn founded Kelbourne Woolens, where they distribute their patterns along with The Fibre Company's unique artisan yarns. They also publish a blog and newsletter and are the authors of many books, including Vintage Modern Knits and November Knits. Courtney and Kate's shared experiences in fine art, textiles, retail, knitwear design and many years of knitting experience have all led to this exciting adventure.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(5 reviews)

Very Pleased

by lindajot115522 on January 31, 2015

This is my first Craftsy class, and I am impressed, not only with the materials, but with the quality videos. The gals are relaxing to watch and I have learned a lot - Thank you!

This is my first Craftsy class, and I am impressed, not only with the materials, but with the quality videos. The gals are relaxing to watch and I have learned a lot - Thank you!

Wonderful Class

by Patsy777 on October 23, 2014

This is a wonderful class for me because I want to knit a lace shawl and in this class I am getting the in's, out's and confidence on how to knit lace so that I can understand the lace shawl patterns. This is a GREAT beginner class for lace knitting. Thank you ladies.

This is a wonderful class for me because I want to knit a lace shawl and in this class I am getting the in's, out's and confidence on how to knit lace so that I can understand the lace shawl patterns. This is a GREAT beginner class for lace knitting. Thank you ladies.

Great Course

by LauraIsaac on September 1, 2014

Lots of great tips about getting gauge for lace and shaping lace in pattern.

Lots of great tips about getting gauge for lace and shaping lace in pattern.

Knitting Lace Hats

by bridgetrev on July 5, 2014

I have experience with lace knitting, have just started the course and already learned something new. That makes me happy!)

I have experience with lace knitting, have just started the course and already learned something new. That makes me happy!)

Good Class.

by Chaddles123 on January 24, 2015

Very good class, however the instructors have so long to get back to me or never did. Would give 5 stars but I wish they were more quicker in their responses to my questions.

Very good class, however the instructors have so long to get back to me or never did. Would give 5 stars but I wish they were more quicker in their responses to my questions.

Materials

What materials are used in this class?

Yarn: Each of three lace hat projects calls for one skein of worsted-weight yarn. The yarn used in class is The Fibre Company Canopy Worsted (50% baby llama, 30% merino, 20% viscose bamboo; 200 yds/100 g skein)

Frequently asked questions

Not at all! The accessible hat patterns included with the class are a great place to start your lace adventure, with Kate and Courtney to guide you along the way! You'll start with the simple structure of the Spiral Lace hat, then work your way up to the True Lace hat with lace pattern stitches on every row. If you can knit and purl in the round, you can make lace hats!